by *morningstar and Tobias Amaranth

Update Status as of Feb 2013: Doing another round of big (and small updates)! -*ms

Werewolf (the genre) is a social game ideally played by large groups of people. It is originally based on a game known as Mafia. The Werewolf concept was created by Andrew Plotkin. Please see his website for a more in depth history lesson on the roots of this style of game.

In this game, the Villagers must discover the identity of the Werewolves before they are all killed. Every night, the Werewolves form a hunting pack to kill a single unlucky victim. When the sun rises, the hysterical Villagers pick someone to lynch. During the daytime phase of the game, the Werewolves pretend to be Villagers, or can even pretend to be the Seer, the one special Villager who can identify the Werewolves at night. Players are allowed to and encouraged to bluff, lie, and misdirect in order to win the game.

If the Villagers lynch all of the Werewolves, they win the game. If the number of Werewolves becomes equal to or greater than the number of all other remaining villagers, the Werewolves overpower them and win the game.

Werewolves of the Dark Arts is a great game for parties, get-togethers, and meetups, especially where everyone may not know everyone else. It's a great ice-breaker and a good way for otherwise shy people to open up and make some new friends. There's a lot of flexibility within the deck, and players can run the game how they're the most comfortable. Tobias has had a lot of success taking this game to conventions and playing with large groups of complete strangers.

This is a custom version that includes a wide range of special roles beyond just the Seer. Many roles are meant for advanced groups. You can certainly play with just Villagers, Werewolves, and one Seer card if you choose, but there are over 30 different roles to pick from. Some cards, such as the Villager, also have alternate character art so you're not stuck looking at the same picture all the time. The suggested minimum number of players is 10, including the Town Mayor (GM). Please consult the Gameplay page for further guidance on how to play Werewolves of the Dark Arts. If you're looking for more in depth information, see the card index for GM scripts, alternate rules, FAQs, or even strategies for playing a role.

This web-resolution release is completely free for personal use. For those interested in purchasing a complete set with card backs and extras, featuring over 90 cards, please e-mail Tobias.

All card art and art assets were done by *morningstar, using Easy Paint Tool SAI and Photoshop. The text was written and placed by Tobias Amaranth.